- Each day, CYP Now will summarise the key issues affecting the children and families sector as it tackles the effects of the pandemic. The daily update signposts children’s services practitioners and leaders to the latest developments, expert views, advice and resources.
Updates for 21 April:
Three million children ‘go back to school’ with BBC Bitesize
Record numbers of children logged-on to BBC Bitesize for home learning following the Easter break.
Three million children took BBC Bitesize Daily lessons on its first day. The previous record for the Bitesize website was 1.3m on the first day of school closures last month (23 March).
Top lessons accessed online include year 3 English, year 5 English and maths and year 7 maths as stars including Sir David Attenborough, Professor Brian Cox, Danny Dyer and Jodie Whittaker all signed-up to the initiative to deliver lessons to children.
Children’s charities call for changes to social care guidance
A coalition of children’s charities has called on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to change “unlawful” elements of official advice surrounding children’s social care during the pandemic.
The group, led by children’s rights organisation Just for Kids Law, has called for amendments to be made “to clarify that local authorities must continue to fulfil their existing statutory duties to all vulnerable children and young people and their families, even during this crisis”.
Free school meals extended for NRPF families
Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) will be eligible for free school meals during the coronavirus crisis, the government has said.
The temporary extension is available for families in groups set out by the Department for Education who have an annual income less than £7,400 per year.
The groups are:
-
Children of Zambrano carers
-
Children of families with no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
-
Children of families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
MPs urged to support vulnerable children
The Children’s Society is calling on supporters to write to their MPs asking for immigration rules restricting benefits to be made available during the Covid-19 crisis.
In a petition, the charity states: “Many of these children are British themselves, or were born here and know no other home. Other young people came to this country alone or were trafficked here by criminal gangs. With nothing to fall back on, these children and families risk being left to fend for themselves at a time of national emergency.
“The government must step in and provide an urgent lifeline for all, so that children and families of all backgrounds can access the vital support they desperately need.”
Scouts launch ‘hike to the moon’ campaign
The Scouts are urging members, friends, relatives and supporters to donate £1 to Comic Relief and Children in Need’s Big Night In Appeal for every mile they walk to help raise £240,000 to support the UK’s most vulnerable people – the equivalent in miles of Apollo XI's voyage to the moon.
Yes, you heard Bear correctly – Scouts are going to #HikeToTheMoon! Hike a mile, make a donation, and help support those who need it most with BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief. Here's how you can get involved: https://t.co/GgcxPMw2g7 pic.twitter.com/TNR4mFPcw6
— The Scouts (@UKScouting) April 19, 2020
On 23 April, Comic Relief and Children in Need will host a star-studded special across TV and radio to support those worst affected by the pandemic.
